A Hero’s Welcome

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Photos by JARED JERNAGAN, Editor

As local emergency agencies and well-wishers gather along State Road 240 late Thursday morning, the body of the Spc. Michael Hook is escorted into Greencastle by Patriot Guard Riders as well as officers from the Greencastle Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police. A gunner for the U.S. Army Cavalry Scouts at the time of his passing, the Putnam County native died at his home in Harker Heights, Texas, on Friday, June 18. Hook had been stationed near the Russian border. Funeral services for Michael Shawn Hook are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle, with visitation from 4-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services Saturday.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Comments

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Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

May he rest in peace. A true American hero.

-- Posted by Queen53 on Thu, Jul 1, 2021, at 3:05 PM
Too bad this wasn't announced prior. I would have definitely been out there to welcome this hero home!

-- Posted by H_lake34 on Thu, Jul 1, 2021, at 3:08 PM
Could the BG provide some background knowledge about this young man?

-- Posted by donantonio on Thu, Jul 1, 2021, at 8:35 PM
God wrap him in your arms as he now rests! He made the ultimate sacrifice and is a true hero! Peace to his family and friends at this difficult time.

-- Posted by jake71 on Fri, Jul 2, 2021, at 3:22 AM
His obituary was featured here: https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2891484.html

Mikey was one of a kind. You can't begin to get a sense of him through this brief glimpse. I knew him in his middle/high school years working at North Putnam. He was certainly a student who made an impression on so many. My nephew was also blessed to count him as a good friend.

-- Posted by roachdalepl on Fri, Jul 2, 2021, at 11:11 AM
You will be so missed Mikey.. rest easy my friend, and know that your family has a big circle around them.

-- Posted by Brenda.Dossey on Fri, Jul 2, 2021, at 12:47 PM
Why is he a hero? Don't give me a hard time. I only want to find out more about him.

-- Posted by donantonio on Sat, Jul 3, 2021, at 1:36 PM
To be clear the article doesn’t state Mike was a hero; it states he recently received a hero’s welcome — which he did. Each person defines “hero” differently. Some believe anyone willing to put on the uniform qualifies. Some believe deployment to a foreign theater is the qualifier. Others look for directly putting oneself in certain situations. Mike had been overseas in an area that has, at times, been contentious or risky. He returned to the U.S. and had to make the abrupt change from deployment or overseas assignment to home that so many have to face. Mike’s North Putnam family is proud of him and sad that he’s gone.

-- Posted by roach on Sun, Jul 4, 2021, at 1:13 AM
Censorship is alive and living in the un-hallowed halls of the Banner Graphic. Or should I say the "People's Republic" of the Banner Graphic. Those are the true Nit Wits.

-- Posted by donantonio on Sun, Jul 4, 2021, at 8:46 PM
Don. If you are going to continue ‘nit picking’ the Banner why don’t you cancel your subscription. Then the rest of us don’t have to see your nit picking and can appreciate what the Banner does for the rest of us.

-- Posted by Nit on Sun, Jul 4, 2021, at 9:24 PM
JULY 4---what a day to be censored and harassed by the reading public at the same time!!!

All I wanted to know originally about Mike and what happened to him. All I wanted was some information. It seems that is just asking too much from those who worship the BG. I am truly sorry that I asked in the first place.

-- Posted by donantonio on Sun, Jul 4, 2021, at 10:07 PM
Don. Your comment about ‘nit wits’ was made AFTER an explanation was given to you in answer to your question. Not only once but twice. I was not harassing in any way. I simply stated how I feel. People are constantly running down the Banner. Like I said. ‘If you don’t like what the Banner prints don’t read it,’

-- Posted by Nit on Mon, Jul 5, 2021, at 9:27 AM
Interesting comments.

-- Posted by beg on Mon, Jul 5, 2021, at 9:41 AM
@Nit--So, you are a BG groupie? You must have very low standards then. Or a very low IQ. But, I will read the BG at my leisure and no "nit (wit)" will tell me otherwise.

-- Posted by donantonio on Mon, Jul 5, 2021, at 7:32 PM
Thank you Don for stating I have a low IQ and very low standards. There was absolutely no reason for your harsh comments on me or anyone else. I don’t know what a BG groupie is. You asked a question as to why Mikey was a hero. And you got your answer. But you were not satisfied when Roach gave you an answer. Your next comment you mentioned that the true nit wits were the ‘People’s Republic’ of the Banner Graphic. Enough is enough. May you Rest In Peace Michael Hook.

-- Posted by Nit on Mon, Jul 5, 2021, at 9:37 PM
Wow

-- Posted by beg on Tue, Jul 6, 2021, at 6:52 AM

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